Dry wall finishing tool



1962 G. w. OBRASKE 3,069,713

DRY WALL FINISHING TOOL Filed May 21, 1959 z/vvs/vro/ e GERALD W OBPAJKE E J /6M A 7' TORNE Y Elite tates atent C 3,069,713 DRY WALLFINISHING TGOL Gerald W. Ohraske, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to ModernWall, a ctr-partnership, composed of Gerald W. Obraske and DonaldMatusesire, Minneapolis, Minn. Filed May 21, 1959, fier. No. 814,878 1Claim. (Cl. 15-236) This invention relates broadly to hand tools, moreparticularly to such tools as used in working with adhesive cements, andspecifically to a tool for use in the dry wall construction trade forfinishing work in the manner of producing feathered edges, finishingjoints between dry wall panels, and the like.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a finishing toolfor working adhesive cements used in dry wall construction work whereinthe blade of said tool being of a constant cross-sectional thickness, isafforded a varied flexibility, according to its backing member.

A further object of this invention is to provide a finishing tool forworking adhesive cements used in dry wall construction wherein its mountfor the handle member affords a novel support for the fingers of theuser to facilitate control of the tool and provide a more firm andcomfortable grip.

A further object of this invention is to provide a finishing tool forworking adhesive cements used in dry wall construction, which tool byvirture of the varied flexibility of its blade will produce highlydesirable feathered edge portions of said adhesive cements as applied toa surface.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a finishing toolfor working adhesive cements used in dry wall construction wherein theblade and its mounting means are adjustable relative to the grip sectionof the handle.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from thefollowing specification and claims taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which form a part of this application and inwhich, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

To the above end, generally stated, this invention consists of thefollowing devices and combination of devices hereinafter described anddefined in the claim.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention substantially in workingposition;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the upper end portion thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the blade and its mountin elements insection, taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

The numeral 4 indicates a horizontally disposed longitudinally elongatedblade having a constant cross-sectiona1 thickness throughout its entirelength. This blade 4 is rigidly mounted on a backing member 5 which, asshown, is in the form of a horizontally disposed angle bar, one flange6, of which, is upwardly projected and the other flange 7, thereof, isrearwardly projected and is provided at its longitudinal center with anintegral rearwardly projecting lug 8 affording a mount for a handlemember 9 as will presently be described. It is important to note thatthe rearwardly projected flange 7 is tapered from the outer end portionsthereof inwardly and outwardly to its junction with the lug S.

The blade 4- is rigidly secured 'to the outer surface of the upstandingflange 6 of the backing member 5 and projects substantially thereabovethe same as dictated by the desired flexibility of the said blade 4.

The upwardly projecting flange 6, of the backing memher 5 at its upperedge portion, see numeral 10, is on an upwardly and outwardly inclined,relatively flat radius from its longitudinal center to each end portionthereof. It will be obvious from the foregoing that this constructionembodying upwardly flared end portion of the member 6 will impart theextra desired stiffness or rigidity to the end portions of the blade sohighly important in finishing the joints between dry wall panels to afeathered edge.

Adjustably secured to the lug 8 on the backing member 5 is .a handlemember 9 having a grip section 11 and terminating at the upper endportion of said grip section in a cross-head 12 which affords a mountfor the blade and backing assembly 4 and 5 respectively. The uppersurface 13 of the cross-head 12 is machined smooth to mate with theundersurface of the lug 8 and aligned transverse bores 14 in the lug 8and the cross-head 12 are provided for a pair of screw threaded bolts 15to secure the handle assembly and the blade and backing the one to theother selectively, in a position most comfortable and efficient for thehand and fingers of the user.

As a means to provide better control of the tool in the hand and fingersof the user and to afford a firmer grip, the cross-head 12 is providedwith relatively deep notch, see numeral 16, at the rear left handportion thereof. This notch 16 extends into the cross-head 12substantially to the grip section 11 of the handle assembly 9 and isactually a clearance notch for the thumb of the users hand, assuming, ofcourse, a right handed operator. Obviously it is possible in themanufacturing process, to provide for revising the position of thecross-head 12 on the upper end portion of the grip section 11 of thehandle assembly for a left handed user. It will also be understood thatin a tool of this class, the user generally grips the tool in such amanner that while the main support is provided by the grip of the handon the grip section 11, much of the touch, skill and guidance of thetool at work is provided by the fingers that will usually overly thecross-head 12, and the lug 8, with the finger tips applying pressure onthe backing assembly 4 and 5 respectively. With the foregoing in mind,the advantage of the notch 16 will be obvious as it permits a shortchoked grip on the grip section 11.

Conversely, the absence of the notch 16 on the opposite side of thecross-head 12, provides a surface for engagement with the second fingerof the users hand to impart still further control to the tool.

While there'are herein disclosed but a limited number of embodiments ofthe structure, process and product of the invention herein presented, itis possible to produce still other embodiments without departing fromthe inventive concept herein disclosed, and it is desired, therefore,that only such limitations be imposed on the appended claim as arestated herein or required by the prior art.

What I claim is:

A finishing tool for use in working the adhesive cement used in dry wallconstruction, comprising in combination, a longitudinally elongatedbacking member, substantially in the form of a unitary angle bar having,when in a position of normal use with the tool uppermost, an upwardlyprojected flange and a rearwardly projected flange, said upwardlyprojected flange having a constant radius concavity formed in its upperedge portion, affording, at its longitudinal end portions a greaterdepth than at the central portions thereof, a blade secured to thebacking member on the forward surface thereof, said blade being aflordedvaried longitudinal flexibility according to the depth of the backingmember, a rearwardly projected lug integral with the rearwardlyprojected flange of the backing member at the longitudinal centerthereof and a handle having a cross-head cooperating with the said lugwhereby the handle and the blade and backing assembly are secured.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS MillerNov. 7, 1899 Sahlstrom Mar. 13, 1928 Ames Nov. 10, 1942 Voelker et a1Aug. 22, 1950 Gilyan July 30, 1957 Tucker July 28, 1959 Karnes Nov. 17,1959

